Dear Bordeaux-lover,

Uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 meant that a 2019 Bordeaux en-primeur campaign was initially doubtful. The delay may advantage buyers, however, as the 2019s are being offered at a discount during a shortened campaign.

2019 follows the long-term trend of drier vintages, which leads to increased quality. 'It wasn't straightforward, with heatwaves, drought and a rainy finish along the way, but Bordeaux enjoyed a long, dry summer and harvest with just enough rain,' reports JancisRobinson.com.

Discounts vary depending on the châteaux, ranging from 10-35% on the 2018s and as much as 20% in ZAR terms. Pontet-Canet was released as the cheapest vintage available and sold out quickly on the market. It’s a potential 100-pointer and we have secured 20 cases.

Another possible 100-pointer is the Mouton Rothschild; released yesterday. It offers a huge discount compared to other top vintages and winemaker Philippe Dhalluin describes the 2019 as having many similarities to the 2010 vintage: 'displaying similar levels of tannin maturity, richness and balance, with more freshness'.

Wine Cellar is buying from our regular list of châteaux, see below, with an emphasis on those with the best pricing. Our unprecedented trade through the 'unlock' period has, unfortunately, not allowed us to run a normal campaign and we will be offering the 2019s shortly. Please send us a list of requests or queries in the meantime.

Bordeaux 2019s are, once again, offered in 6-bottle cases, although 3-bottle cases are available for the First Growths. Wine Cellar offers similar pricing to the UK market at the current ZAR exchange rate. Much like buying any Bordeaux campaign, your position on the ZAR can be a deciding factor. With a long-term trend of depreciation, buying en-primeur has offered the best possible prices for buying Bordeaux in ZAR over the last 20 years.

Our 2018 purchases included:
Angelus, Beychevelle, Blanc de Lynch-Bages, Branaire-Ducru, Brane-Cantenac, Coutet, Calon-Ségur, Canon, Cantemerle, Capbern, Cheval Blanc, Clerc Milon, Clinet, Cos d'Estournel, Dame de Montrose, d'Armailhac, d'Issan, Doisy-Daëne, Domaine de Chevalier, du Tertre, Ducru-Beaucaillou, Duhart-Milon, Figeac, Fonbel, Fonplegade, Gazin, Gloria, Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Gruaud-Larose, Haut-Bages-Libéral, Haut-Brion, La Conseillante, La Dauphine, Labegorce, Lafite Rothschild, Lafon-Rochet, Lagrange, Langoa-Barton, Larcis-Ducasse, Laroque, Lascombes, l'Eglise Clinet, Léoville-Barton, Leoville-Poyferre, Léoville-Las Cases, Les Carmes Haut-Brion, Les Cruzelles, Les Ormes de Pez, Lynch-Bages, Malartic-Lagravière, Malescot St-Exupéry, Margaux, Mauvesin Barton, Meyney, Montrose, Mouton Rothschild, Palmer, Pape Clément, Pavie-Macquin, Phélan Ségur, Pichon Baron, Pichon Lalande, Pontet Canet, Potensac, Quinault l'Enclos, Rauzan-Ségla, Réserve de la Comtesse, Rouget, Saint-Pierre, Sénéjac, Smith Haut Lafitte, Suduiraut, Troplong Mondot and Vieux Château Certan.